Int Aquat Res (2010) 2: 163-166

(Special Issue of AquaMedit 2010 Conference, Greece) International

ISSN 2008-4935
Available online at www.intelaquares.com Aquatic Research

Partial replacement of fresh algae with dry, in intensive

seabream larval production

Dimopoulos Dimitrios, Panagiotaki Panagiota*, Golomazou Eleni, Malandrakis Emmanuil, Dadali

Olga, Martsikalis Petros, Exadactylos Athanassios, Klaoudatos Spyridon, Neofytou Christos

Department of Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment, University of Thessaly, Fytoko, N. Ionia, Volos, Greece

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Abstract

Green water technique was developed in order to improve survival and growth rate of post hatched gilthead seabream
(Sparus aurata) larvae intensively produced. In parallel, this created the need of algal cultivation in hatcheries, a fact that
elaborated complicated procedures and increased the cost of larval production. Recently, world aquaculture, in order to
minimize the production cost, seems to have bypassed the hatching procedure of fresh algal cultivation by substituting
them with commercially produced dry algae. In the present study, the hypothesis that a 50% substitution fresh algae with
dry, can improve survival, growth and malformation rate in commercial scale, was investigated. Simultaneously, a
feeding frequency of 3 and 5 Artemia sp. meals per day was studied. Four treatments were established and quadruplicates
were maintained for each treatment. Treatments included: a) 50% replacement of fresh algae with dry (SanolifeALG,
INVE) and 3 daily feedings (SL 3T), b) 50% replacement of fresh algae with dry and 5 daily feedings (SL 5T), c) 5 daily
feedings (M 5T) control group and d) 3 daily feedings (M 3T) control group. Samples of larvae were measured for length
at days 5, 13, 19, 25, 32 and 40 post hatching. Partial substitution (50%) of fresh algae with dry provoked no difference in
growth, survival and malformation rate, reducing algal production cost by 8%. Moreover, risk of pathogen contamination
is reduced and the nutrition quality of live prey is stabilized. Feeding frequency affected significantly larval growth rate (5
feedings compared 3 feedings), when either fresh or dry algae were used. From the present study it appears that partial
substitution of dry algae with fresh, can sustain low larval production cost and secure a standard procedure, main points of
interest for a commercial hatchery. Dry algae, based on technology achievements, are strongly recommended for use as a
“rescue plan”, in case that fresh algal cultures collapse. More research is needed, in order to improve aquaculture
techniques and develop qualified products – in collaboration with hatcheries – so as to achieve total substitution of fresh,
by dry algae.

Keywords: Sparus aurata, Green water technique, Dry algae, Fresh algae, Feeding frequency, Larvae
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Introduction

Gilthead sea bream is one of the most important species with high economic impact for Mediterranean aquaculture.
In the last decades, phytoplankton, through green water technique has led to the enhancement of intensive rearing of
seabream larvae (Morreti et al. 1999; Muller-Feuga et al. 2003a,b).
It is well established that green water technique has promoted the intensive rearing of gilthead sea bream larvae.
Nevertheless, this method demanded a parallel culture of fresh algae. This technique improves growth and survival

*
Corresponding author. Email: ppanag@uth.gr. Tel: +24210 93070, Fax: +24210 93071.
© 2010, IAU, Tonekabon, IAR-10-1153.
164 Dimitrios et al. / International Aquatic Research 2 (2010) 163-166

rate as well as food ingestion (Oie et al. 1997; Reitan et al. 1997). These improvements, concerning larval quality,
have been noted previously by various researchers (Mofat 1981; Makridis and Olsen 1999; Naas et al. 1992, 1996).
In the present study, the hypothesis that partial substitution (50%) of fresh algae with dry, can affect survival,
growth and malformation rate in commercial scale cultivation, was investigated. Simultaneously, taking into
account the need for understanding the possible influence of 3 and 5 Artemia sp. meals per day, data is presented for
both feeding frequencies as well as for partial substitution.

Materials and methods

According to the sampling procedure, samples were collected during the 2008-2009 production period by the
hatchery of DIAS AQUACULTURE SA in Central Greece. Fertilized eggs derived from a gilthead sea bream
broodstock, were transferred into the 10 m3 polyester cylindrical-conical tanks. Each tank was filled with bore
water under two different temperature regimes: 20.5 ± 1 oC and 15 ± 0.5 oC. Both water supplies were adequately
filtered not only with UV filters (100 mJ/cm2) but also with mechanical filters (100 μm and 5 μm).
The study included four treatments: a) 50% replacement of fresh algae with dry (SanolifeALG, INVE) and 3
daily feedings (SL 3T), b) 50% replacement of fresh algae with dry and 5 daily feedings (SL 5T), c) 5 daily
feedings control group (M 5T) and d) 3 daily feedings control group (M 3T). Quadruplicate tanks were employed
for each treatment. Samplings were collected at 5, 13, 19, 25, 32 and 40 days post hatching and total larval length
was measured.
According to the standard procedure, once a day, 300 L of fresh algae (Isochrysis sp., Chlorella sp.) were
supplied to fish at a concentration of 20 × 106 cells/ml, approximately. As far as the 50% replacement is concerned,
150 L of fresh algae were supplied to the fish in the two experimental groups, this being accomplished with 50 g
SanolifeALG (5 g/m3/day) in two daily doses, according to the manufacturer’s guides. The duration of the
experiment was 52 days, a time period during which a first measurement of total length and survival rate of the fish
took place. This developmental stage seems have been crucial due to the fact that it can provide sufficient
information about fish malformations.
Statistical analysis of the results was achieved using statistical software SΡSS 17 for Windows. The
Kolmogorov–Smirnov test was performed in order tο check normality for length’s measurements. Furthermore the
mean values were compared according to the Student t-test. In order to compare the slopes of linear regressions
which concern the growth of experimental fish, the Tukey test was utilized according to Zar (1996).

Results
According to the results of the present study, during the first 25 days post hatching (dph), the amendment of the
feeding frequency, provoked no effect on total length (P > 0.05). However, statistical analysis of the total length
measurements revealed that total length was greater in the case of the 5 time feeding frequency (5Τ) compared to the
3 time feeding frequency (3Τ) case (P < 0.05). This result was demonstrated at 32 dph and was kept until 40 dph.
Concerning the larval growth of the highest feeding frequency group (5Τ), this was significantly higher (P < 0.05)
compared to the 3 time feeding frequency group (3Τ), when both fresh (Fig. 1) and supplement algae (Fig. 2) were
used.
There was a fluctuation of the survival rates between 11% and 17% for each experimental group. Moreover, an
increase was noted in the survival rate regarding the 5 feedings groups (5Τ) compared with the 3 feedings groups
(3Τ). Furthermore, taking into the obtained results, it seems that both control groups had higher survival rates
regardless of the feeding frequency.
An important outcome of the present study is the fact that partial substitution of fresh algae with dry provoked
no difference in fish growth (Figs. 3 and 4) and malformation rates, as checked in 52 dph. The major finding of this
study concerning economic outcome, is the fact that partial substitution of fresh algae with dry, can reduce the cost
in larval production. Specifically, the price of the product was 240 €/kg and production cost of fresh microalgae in
the hatchery was 93 €/m3. The financial benefit, taking into account the 50% substitution of fresh algae with dry,
was estimated at 2.48 €/tank/day.
 Dimitrios et al. / International Aquatic Research 2 (2010) 163-166 165

Fig. 2. Larval growth of experimental groups (ANCOVA, Fig. 1. Larval growth of control groups (ANCOVA,
P < 0.05) P < 0.05)

Fig. 3. Larval growth of SL5T versus M5T (ANCOVA, Fig. 4. Larval growth of SL3T versus M3T (ANCOVA,
P > 0.05) P > 0.05)

Discussion

Several studies in the international literatures have examined the positive effect that green water technique has in
seabream larval production (Muller-Feuga et al. 2003a,b; Morreti et al. 1999). However, production is burdened
with the parallel conservation and cultivation of fresh algae (Morreti et al. 1999).
In recent years, several efforts have been made, in order to attain the substitution of fresh algae with dry ones.
This observation suggests a possible decrease of cost production and also simplifies and improves production
procedure. In tanks, where larval production took place, the 50% substitution of fresh algae with dry one
(SanolifeALG) revealed no difference in growth rate. In the current study it was obvious that the increase in the
number of Artemia feedings of sea bream from 3 to 5, positively affected the growth rate. These results are in agree
with those of Tucker et al. (2006).
The 50% substitution of fresh algae with dry showed negative influence to the survival rates in contrast with
previous researches (Navarro and Sarasquete 1998; Canavate and Fernandez-Diaz 2001). Furthermore, it was
detected that a decrease of feeding frequency negatively influenced the survival rate of larvae.
The knowledge of financial status is important for profitable management in a hatchery. High survival rate, low
malformation rate, expeditious growth as well as the decrease of the cost, which comes from both energy and labor
166 Dimitrios et al. / International Aquatic Research 2 (2010) 163-166

wages, consist with the factors that ameliorate production indices (Moretti et al. 1999; Shields 2001). SanolifeALG
and indiscriminately dry algae are the products that are being used to decrease the production cost. The results of
this study strongly suggest that the 50% substitution of live algae with SanolifeALG, did not reduce growth rate and
did not influence malformations adversely. However, further studies are needed to establish this view, as in the
present research, the survival rates could not be checked in a statistically acceptable way.
Finally, the product’s high price in combination with partial substitution indicates that there is no notable
decrease in production cost. Nevertheless, it is expected that in the near future, increased application of similar
products, could bring a noteworthy depression in the cost of production.

Acknowledgements
We would like to thank DIAS AQUACULTURE SA and INVE HELLAS SA for providing facilities and
experimental material. George Bourgos is acknowledged for his constructive comments.

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